Harvesting and Health
Nourishing Families in our Local Area
Dark Wood Farm, the Safer Birth Foundation, and Bellyful
In the quiet green pockets of Northern Kentucky, Dark Wood Farm is growing far more than vegetables. It is cultivating nourishment, resilience, and connection for families across the region with the support of an impactful partnership with the Safer Birth Foundation (SBF) and its founder, midwife Meghan Nowland.
Dark Wood Farm was founded four years ago by Annie Woods, who has always been passionate about community-supported agriculture and increasing access to fresh, local food. Her journey started a meaningful chapter in 2022 when she welcomed her first child, guided through pregnancy and birth by the Cincinnati Birth Center and Meghan as her midwife. That experience, enlightening shared values of nourishment and community care, laid the foundation for a collaboration that would soon grow into something much larger.
At the time, Dark Wood Farm was a part of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share, producing weekly produce boxes for families. After meeting FreshRx at a tabling event, she proposed making a program in collaboration with the Safer Birth Foundation, which connected Kentucky farmers with postpartum mothers on Medicaid by providing free weekly produce shares. The main goal was simple and profound: fresh food as a tool for healing, recovery, and health.
Nowland proposed a partnership between Dark Wood Farm and SBF, envisioning a program that would support not only postpartum mothers on Medicaid, but entire families, including children under five and even former SBF clients who could benefit from ongoing nutritional support. That idea grew to become Bellyful, a program designed to make nutrient-rich, farm-fresh food accessible to families who often face the steepest barriers to healthy eating.
From Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to Community Sharing
Dark Wood Farm traditionally functions as a CSA farm, offering weekly produce boxes to families who sign up at the beginning of the season. But as Annie shared, “CSA subscriptions are only economically attainable for certain people.” She mentioned that this is due to how organic farming requires a higher price point to keep operations running.
Through SBF’s support, funded by in-kind donors along with grants, Bellyful alters its model slightly, wherein families are able to receive CSA-quality weekly produce at no cost. This means Dark Wood Farm can continue growing food, employing local staff, and supporting the regional food economy, while families who need the most support receive the highest quality produce.
Over time, the collaboration has expanded significantly. Now entering its third year partnering with the UC Bearcats Pantry, Bellyful has created enough momentum and support in its past 3 years that it has just been approved for the upcoming 2026 year, further expanding its mission.
Boxes are distributed weekly, including a significant seasonal drop the week before Thanksgiving, supplying recipients with enough vegetables to celebrate the approaching holiday. This year, Dark Wood Farm also delivered to UC Blue Ash on November 18th, widening the circle of families who receive support.
Value More Than Vegetables:
It’s Education, Empowerment, and Belonging
Research from the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Farm Share Coalition shows that only 6.3% of Kentucky residents meet the recommended vegetable intake (How does it work?: Kentucky: Ky Farm Share Coalition). However, families participating in CSA programs, like SBF’s Bellyful program, see vegetable intake leap to 84% for families and individuals.
Access changes habits, and habits change health.
Bellyful isn’t just about giving people vegetables. It’s about giving them the knowledge and confidence to use them. Weekly produce drop-offs also include helpful information on what they will be receiving, including:
Digital newsletters
Easy storage and cooking tips
Easy to read infographic cards (like how to prepare kohlrabi)
Simple recipes
Cultural and family-friendly uses for herbs and greens
How this Works
Dark Wood Farm grows more than 70 kinds of vegetables, rotating 6 to 8 items weekly so families get root vegetables, leafy greens, herbs, and seasonal staples. Salad mixes, scallions, peppers, dill, mint, and lemon balm are frequent favorites.
The herbs are especially meaningful, such as mints, lemon balm, and teas, which support digestion, relaxation, and breastfeeding. This aligns beautifully with SBF’s vision of holistic postpartum care.
Why This Work Matters
When asked what keeps her motivated, especially in a field as physically demanding as farming, Woods is grounded and honest.
“Farming doesn’t make a ton of money,” she says with a laugh. “...CSA programs are accessible to some families, but not all. Because of our partnership with SBF, we can offer these boxes for free to the people who need them most. It helps with food access, and it lets us work as farmers.”
She adds that community-rooted farms rely on collaboration:
“We operate like a well-oiled machine. We depend on one another.”
Bellyful is only possible because of the trust, care, and shared values between Dark Wood Farm, Safer Birth Foundation, and the families they serve.
Nutrition plays a vital role in postpartum healing, breastfeeding success, and long-term family health. By infusing the community with fresh produce, literally and figuratively, Bellyful delivers nourishment that goes beyond the plate.
A Collaboration Planted in Care
As a midwife and founder of Safer Birth Foundation, Meghan Nowland has always championed whole-person care: emotional, physical, nutritional, and community-supported. Her connection to Woods through her own birth experience makes this partnership deeply personal and aligned with SBF’s mission.
Together, Dark Wood Farm and Safer Birth Foundation are demonstrating what maternal and family support can look like when food access, community connection, and local agriculture work hand in hand.
Week by week, season by season, Bellyful continues to grow, rooted in care, nourished by community, and sustained by families who deserve abundant, healthy, joyful food.
References
“How Does It Work?: Kentucky: Ky Farm Share Coalition.” KY Farm Share, www.kyfarmshare.org/how-does-it-work. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Interview with Annie Woods, Founder of Dark Wood Farm
